Apr 22, 2021
Welcome to the County Fair Podcast! This is the podcast where fair influencers share their valuable insights, strengthening and growing the long-lived tradition of the county fair.
In this second episode of the County Fair Podcast, your hosts Jeffrey Palermo and Christina Rudolph, are joined by two very special guests, Jacey Tweedy and Ben Plascencia.
Jacey Tweedy is a jr. high student who has won many awards in showing. Just in 2020 alone, they’ve won 2020 All-Around Junior High Cowgirl 2020 CHRSA District 6, 2020 4H Champion Lamb Caruthers Fair, 2020 Big Fresno Fair 4H Intermediate Sheep Showmanship Winner, and 2020 Big Fresno Fair 4H Reserve Grand Champion Hampshire Lamb. They are also the 2020-2021 Jr. High Student Division State Officer and President of the California High School Rodeo Association.
Ben Plascencia is a high school student from California who has also recently won an award in 2020 as the 2020 Big Fresno Fair Supreme Champion Market Steer. He is also the 2020 Reedley 4-H Club President and is an FFA member.
In this conversation, Jeffrey and Christina delve into how and why the youth make county fairs possible! Ben and Jacey share about their love for county fairs and showing; how they prep their steers, lamb, and goats for showing; their advice to other youth looking to get started with prepping for a show; their insights on the best mentality to have when showing to judges at a fair; and how they personally strategize and prepare to get their next awards. This is a very fun episode with two youth who have a passion for county fairs, agriculture, and showing!
Topics of Discussion:
[:00] About the County Fair Podcast.
[:19] This show is brought to you by ShoWorks.
[:44] Today’s bible verse.
[1:04] Your hosts, Jeffrey Palermo and Christina Rudolph, introduce and welcome their guests, Jacey Tweedy and Ben Plascencia.
[1:47] Jacey shares what her favorite animal is to show.
[2:20] What originally got Jacey into FFA?
[2:37] Jacey’s favorite part about showing.
[2:56] Christina and Jeffrey congratulate Jacey on being awarded the 2020 Big Fresno Fair 4H Intermediate Sheep Showmanship.
[3:08] What was the name of Ben’s 2020 Big Fresno Fair Supreme Champion Market Steer?
[3:43] How long did Ben work with his steer to get him ready for showing this year?
[3:59] What did Ben do to get his steer’s hair so healthy?
[5:07] Does Ben keep his steer at his place or does he share a barn with other FFA members?
[5:32] Ben gives his advice to other youth on how they can get started on prepping a steer if it is their first time.
[6:33] Where do you get a steer? And what is Jacey’s thought process behind choosing a calf?
[6:58] How is prepping lambs and goats different from the prep you would do for a steer for show?
[7:37] If someone wants to show at a fair, how long should they expect to prep different animals for?
[8:20] When Jacey goes to select a lamb, what is she looking for?
[8:47] Ben speaks about the special bond he shares with a steer when prepping them.
[9:32] What are the judges looking for when you show a steer?
[10:31] Jacey shares her thought process when it comes to being “on target” when showing and what the judges are looking for.
[11:06] A word from County Fair Podcast’s sponsor: ShoWorks.
[11:28] How important is an individual’s attitude and mindset when entering a show environment?
[12:19] Jacey shares what is most important for her to know before showing.
[13:04] Ben shares his thoughts when he walks into the ring with his steer when showing.
[13:45] How does Ben prepare for the judges’ questions?
[14:52] Jacey shares about how she enjoys helping the general public walking (that are walking around on the fairgrounds) understand the agriculture industry.
[15:58] How important is Jacey’s county fair to her? And how have they helped prep her for her future?
[16:40] Ben shares about his county fair and why it is so important to him.
[17:15] Ben about the wonderful network he was able to build from showing at county fairs.
[17:59] How much work does Jacey’s teachers, mentors, and parents put in to help her succeed?
[18:58] Ben shares what the most memorable memories are to him at fairs.
[20:11] Jacey shares her favorite memory from showing at a fair.
[20:48] Ben urges all fairgoers to check out the Big Fresno Fair in 2021!
[21:18] Do you have a story to share? The County Fair Podcast would love to have you on as a guest!
[21:43] What’s on the horizon for Jacey this year? What is she working on for show?
[22:05] What is Ben working on for show this year?
[22:25] Jeffrey and Christina thank Ben and Jacey for joining the County Fair Podcast!
Mentioned in this Episode:
The County Fair is Brought to You By ShoWorks
ShoWorks’ fair entry software has set the gold standard for fairs across the United States and Canada for more than 20 years, serving more than 75% of the country’s fairs. ShoWorks is in place to handle fair entries, billing, payouts, and the incorporation of virtual elements into your show and auction. Visit www.FairSoftware.com to learn more!
God Moment
“But I will bless the person who puts his trust in me. He is like a tree growing near a stream and sending out roots to the water. It is not afraid when hot weather comes, because its leaves stay green; it has no worries when there is no rain; it keeps on bearing fruit." Jeremiah 17:7-8
Want to Learn More?
Visit CountyFairPodcast.com for show notes and additional episodes.